NFL

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, July 26, 1998

SAN DIEGO - Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf agreed Saturday to a contract that includes a $11.25 million signing bonus, the largest ever for a rookie, and will end his two-day training camp holdout.

The bonus is part of a complex deal that could pay Leaf, the second pick in the April draft, $31.25 million over five seasons, an average of $6.25 million.

That means that Leaf will get into camp before Peyton Manning, taken by Indianapolis with the first pick in the draft. Manning remained the Colts' only unsigned player.

"We were determined to make sure Ryan got out to a productive start in training camp, and that's the most important key," Leaf's agent, Leigh Steinberg, said.

Leaf, who led Washington State to the Rose Bowl as a junior, missed four practices. The Chargers are off Sunday, and Leaf is expected to report to a team meeting that night and begin practicing on Monday morning.

Leaf's bonus represents more than a $4 million jump from the previous highest bonus for a rookie, the $7.125 million Ki-Jana Carter got from Cincinnati in 1975.

The sides negotiated until midnight Friday, then spoke about every hour on Saturday until they got the deal done.

Leaf has been working out on his own and watching videotape.

In other signing news:

*The Cincinnati Bengals signed their two first-round draft picks, linebackers Takeo Spikes from Auburn and Brian Simmons of North Carolina. Both signed five-year contracts and reported to the Bengals' training camp in Georgetown, Ky.

*The Denver Broncos signed unrestricted free-agent defensive end Anthony Smith, who had spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the Raiders.

Dolphins drop Phillips&lt;

DAVIE, Fla. - Talented but troubled running back Lawrence Phillips was waived by the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, four days into training camp and four weeks after his latest brush with the law.

"I just feel like he's not going to fit into our plans," coach Jimmy Johnson said. "This gives him an opportunity to find another team, get himself another opportunity."

Cut by St. Louis less than two seasons after the Rams made him the No. 6 pick of the 1996 draft, Phillips joined the Dolphins in the hope of bolstering a running game that ranked next-to-last in 1997. Instead, he leaves South Florida with another criminal allegation hanging over his head.

Police still are investigating allegations that Phillips hit a woman at a lounge in Plantation on June 27. A decision on whether charges will be filed could be made next week.

Phillips never commented publicly but told Johnson he did not hit the woman. Johnson said he believed the player.

Wannstedt staying put&lt;

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - One thing the Chicago Bears won't have to worry about this season is a coaching controversy.

After the Bears started 0-7 last season, there was plenty of speculation about coach Dave Wannstedt's job.

"I think you can expect him to be the coach for the full season," McCaskey said. "That's the way I go into it. It doesn't enter to my mind to make a change.

"I remain convinced he's an excellent coach and we can win a lot of football games," McCaskey added. "We can win the Super Bowl with Dave as our coach." &lt;

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